It’s hard not to feel vulnerable when visiting
a doctor or staying in a hospital. After all, the people caring
for you, the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care
providers do have your health in their hands. But you do have rights – and
asserting them is one means of making sure you get the best care
possible.
According to the American Hospital Association
these include:
The right to considerate and respectful care.
The right to get complete, up-to-date information
about diagnosis, treatment and prognosis from your physician in
terms that you can reasonably be expected to understand.
The right to get enough information about any
proposed treatment or procedure to make informed consent – meaning
that you should know enough about the expected benefits, possible
hazards and time needed for recovery to decide if you want the
treatment or procedure.
The right to refuse treatment and to be advised
of the possible medical consequences of doing so.
The right to every consideration of privacy concerning
your own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination
and treatment are confidential and should be conducted discreetly.
The right to expect all communications and records
concerning your care be treated as confidential.
The right to a reasonable response to your request
for services.
The right to know if the hospital plans to engage
in any human experimentation that might affect your care or treatment.
You have the right to refuse to participate in such research projects.
The right to expect reasonable continuity of care.
You have the right to know in advance what appointment times and
physicians are available, as well as the location for follow-up
visits.
The right to be informed about continuing health
care requirements after discharge.
The right to examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless
of whether it’s paid by you or another source.
The right to know what hospital rules and regulations
apply to your conduct as a patient.
While these guidelines are generally handed out
to patients when they enter a hospital, they are also good guidelines
to follow for general non-hospitalized medical care such as a visit
to your doctor.
Victims of medical
malpractice can sue for the injuries incurred and all direct
consequences of those injuries including mental and physical
pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, or other economic
damages. If you or a loved one has suffered due to Medical Malpractice
or Medical Mistakes,
please Contact The Rasansky Law
Firm to learn about your rights and
legal options regarding your Medical Malpractice Claim.
